Disclaimer: I do not own "Naruto" or anything/anyone related to the series

Chapter Thirty-six

"What the hell..." Karibi's eyes nearly bulged out from their sockets while she gazed at the ruins of Tanzaku castle.

She had left Naruto while he slept, and although a part of her felt guilty for doing so, the other part of her knew that it was the wisest of all decisions; if she could find Tsunade first, there was a possibility of heading back to the village sooner rather than later.

When she arrived at the next village, the young woman had been swift to start her search. Her eagerness shined through as she stopped at every bar and at every restaurant that served alcohol; Jiraiya had specifically pointed out that Tsunade's choice of poison was a bottle of something strong. After the first few hours, Karibi's motivation began to dwindle. The apologies were disconcerting, and the longer she searched, the less optimistic she felt.

It wasn't until she decided to try searching at higher levels that she stumbled across some possible answers.

The stone wall to the castle had been knocked down, the debris scattered about aimlessly. The jonin narrowed her eyes while she concentrated on the aura around the site; there was a lingering darkness that made her skin crawl. Taking a deep breath, the redhead began to glance around the knocked down wall, hoping to find answers to her questions.

"Who could've possibly done this?" Kneeling down with curiosity in her eyes, Karibi traced her fingers over the jagged edges of the trampled wall, the rough and broken stone scratching lightly against her skin.

"...Someone strong, that's who." And in seconds, her hope had returned.

§

Karibi didn't believe in miracles. She didn't believe in fate, and she didn't believe in destiny. However, when she walked into the bar that evening with her head hanging low and her weary eyes full of exhaustion and disappointment, she could have truly believed that a miracle had come true.

In the far corner of the bar, was a blonde woman and a dark-haired woman.

She looked exactly like in the photo—not a single minute older or younger. Jiraiya had been correct; she didn't look a day over twenty-nine. Karibi almost fell apart as she hurried over to the corner of the shop, weaving around the tables before she unexpectedly plopped down at the table with the unsuspecting pair.

"Who—" Tsunade's cheeks were red, and her eyes were glazed over, but she was aware enough to realize an intruder had arrived. The astonished expression on her face was almost amusing to the new arrival, Shizune scowling at the stranger that had sat down so abruptly with them.

"Excuse me, but you—"

"Leave it, Shizune." Said woman was surprised by her master's command, her eyes wide open and pupils shrunken. "Don't you even realize who this is?"

Karibi blinked. "Is she supposed to?" The drunken woman rolled her eyes.

"Karibi Uzumaki, right?" The redhead couldn't stop her jaw from hanging ajar.

"How'd you—"

"The adopted kid of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki." Shizune's eyes glistened at the mention of the late Leaf members, Karibi's jaw clenched shut for a second. Her hands were clenched into fists, Tsunade meeting her dark eyes with fearlessness.

"...Tsunade-sama—"

"Whatever you want, don't bother." The blond waved Karibi's unspoken question off, throwing her head back to gulp down another shot. With her scrunched-up expression, the older woman wiped her lips clean, smudging a bit of her red lipstick when she did so; Karibi and Shizune frowned. "I'm not interested in what you're selling."

"...How long has she been at this for?" Karibi looked to Tsunade's keeper, the dark-haired woman letting out an exasperated sigh.

"Far too long." The jonin looked back to the messy woman—who had let her head fall to the table; her attempts for another shot were long forgotten.

With an unenthused expression, Karibi shook her head, focusing her attention to the conscious woman. "I'm sorry to interrupt." Shizune waved the apology off.

"No, it's not a problem." She looked back at Tsunade with a sheepish smile. "It's not like we'll be going anywhere any time soon."

With a deep breath, Karibi nodded, the light in her eyes faded and her somber expression sending chills down Shizune's back. "There's an important matter that I would like to speak to you about."

§

The first thing Tsunade noticed was the hard throbbing in her head.

The second, her dry and raspy throat.

The third, a pair of amethyst eyes watching her closely.

Sitting up slowly, the sanin groaned, the sun from the window beaming down on her. The bright rays made her eyes scream for darkness, the ache of her hangover only strengthening as she reached up to shield her eyes. Ignoring the wary eyes watching her was easy enough with the agony she was experiencing; she could ignore Karibi no longer when the redhead held out a glass of water to her.

"I'm surprised you're not dead from alcohol poisoning." The blonde scoffed.

"It would take far more than what I drank last night to kill me."

"I'm almost impressed." She sounded anything but.

Snatching the glass from the younger kunoichi, Tsunade gulped down every drop of water, her throat grateful from the relief. The 50-year-old let out a satisfied breath and set the cup down on the floor beside her futon without wasting a second; her eyes were searching for her assistant.

"She's not dead, if that's what you're thinking." Shizune was fast asleep with Tom-Tom curled up at her side. "She mentioned that she had been up chasing you around most days and nights, so I figured she could use the rest." Tsunade scoffed but didn't address Karibi, the redhead merely shrugging.

"If you think that I'll leave you alone if you ignore me, you're wrong." Finally, Tsunade met Karibi's persistent gaze. "And if you think you can scare me off with a threat, you're also wrong." She would get Tsunade to listen to her one way or another.

The younger woman was relentless. Tsunade didn't need to hear much else from her to know; it was in her stance and in the way she stared at her. Karibi Uzumaki would not back down until she was heard. And although Tsunade would have rather gone about her day as she had originally planned, she knew that she was stuck. And so, after a few moments of silence, she relented.

"Whatever you want to talk about—do it while we eat."

§

Karibi wasn't sure where to start. She had begun her mission with conviction and determination, but sitting beside one of the legendary sanin as she ate her bowl of rice was intimidating. There was a sureness around Tsunade that the redhead envied—like the older woman didn't have doubts about any decisions she made. She did what she did, and that was that. And the jonin realized quickly that she admired that about the older kunoichi. Still, she had a job to accomplish, and she had people waiting for her back in the village; she couldn't sit there and fawn over the woman.

"Spit it out." Tsunade didn't lift her eyes from her food, a quarter of her attention aimed at the unexpected guest.

"...Sandaime has passed." For a brief second, Tsunade paused.

"...How?"

"...Orochimaru." Tsunade took note of the way Karibi's voice cracked at the name.

The image of Orochimaru's bandaged arms came fluttering back to the female sanin.

"What does this have to do with me?" The jonin took a deep breath, preparing herself for the discussion ahead; Jiraiya had warned her that this would not be an easy feat.

"The village has been trying to recover since Orochimaru's attack. But even still, right now, the Leaf is vulnerable," Karibi explained quietly, leaning forward so Tsunade would be able to hear her properly. The older woman glanced up at her before taking a chug from her water glass. "Since Sandaime-sama's passing, we've been left wide open and defenseless. And there are those who have already taken advantage of that." Karibi's hands balled up into fists at the way Itachi's Sharingan eyes haunted her memories.

Finishing off the rest of her food, Tsunade set her chopsticks down. Finally, she gave her companion her full attention, though her eyes were unsympathetic and filled with bitterness; it was something Karibi was familiar with. "...You have to know where this is going."

"I want you to say it."

"...The village needs a Fifth Hokage." Tsunade smirked bitterly.

"Is that right? And you think that I am to be the next Hokage?"

"I think it makes sense."

"Little girl, you have no idea what you're meddling with." Karibi's amethyst eyes began to shine with indignation.

"Please don't address me like I'm a mindless child. Not unless you decide to become the village's next Hokage." That caused Tsunade to pause; she wasn't sure whether she was amused or annoyed by the younger kunoichi's pushy tone.

"...I'm not interested in whatever quarrel the village has with Orochimaru." Karibi sighed, shaking her head from exasperation.

"It's not just about that."

"What, then?"

"There are people suffering—people who need more help than the village can provide for them." Tsunade's brow began to rise, the somber gleam in Karibi's eyes catching her attention. "And, yes, I realize what your answer is going to be."

"Oh, ho. Really?" Tsunade gave her companion an impish smile. "What do you think I'm going to say?" Karibi scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest while sighing.

"That it's not your problem and that the village can find some other way or someone else to fix their problems...but this is our best shot." Karibi's gazed into Tsunade's eyes with a raw earnestness that the older woman had not been expecting. "This is the village doing its best to help its people—people you used to protect and fight for." The sanin gazed warily at the young redhead, wondering why she felt comfortable enough to address her with such familiarity. Most either were intimidated by her or wanted to praise the ground she walked on. Her name was known far and wide—for many things. And it was obvious that Karibi knew of her. But the way she spoke—as if she knew what to say and how to say it in order not to rile such vicious responses and undesired answers from her. And the more she thought about it, the more the cranks in her mind worked.

"...Where is he?" Karibi had not taken this job alone.

"Where is who—" Tsunade glared.

"Where?" At the icy tone, the jonin relented.

"It's a very long story, so to save you the time, he's a day or so behind. But he'll be here, and then you can hear properly what he has to say and make a proper decision when you see him." The blonde wasn't interested in deciding anything.

I can bring that boy and your precious lover back from the dead.

Making decisions was the last thing Tsunade wanted to do.

Taking a generous gulp from her water glass, the older woman kept her eyes focused elsewhere, though her attention was entirely on Karibi. She took note of the way the woman fidgeted; though she had said Tsunade could give a proper answer to Jiraiya once he had arrived, it seemed she was far more impatient than she was letting on. The way her scowl sat on her face, the way her eyes glistened with eagerness; she wanted so badly for Tsunade to come back to the village.

"What's in it for you?" She wasn't expecting the question. Or perhaps, she hadn't been expecting Tsunade to realize that Karibi had her own motives for bringing her back to the village. It was foolish, though. The woman was renowned for her abilities; seeing through Karibi was probably simple for Tsunade.

"...There is someone that you need to help. Someone very important to me." Karibi sent Tsunade a stern stare. "That's it." She wouldn't say anything else.

And Tsunade didn't need her to.

*Four Hours Later*

Her watchful eyes were frustrating. It was hard for Tsunade to act naturally while feeling as though she was under a microscope. But she didn't address her concerns. She didn't want her follower to realize what discomfort she was going through; Tsunade was not one to lay down so easily.

"Is there a reason you keep stalking after me?" Karibi's face twisted into a bitter pout, her arms crossed over her chest.

"I'm not stalking after you. But Shizune is still nowhere to be seen, and honestly, from what Jiraiya has told me, I don't think getting separated from you would be a good idea." The redhead shrugged. "I don't want to be responsible for anything. So, until someone comes, I'm coming with you to wherever you go." Tsunade scoffed but didn't argue, marching down the road. Her eyes scanned the shops, the sun blazing above her head.

She needed a drink.

With an indignant grunt, the blonde took a sharp left, Karibi quickly scurrying after the woman. She glanced over her shoulder in hopes of catching sight of Shizune; she was not so lucky. The irritated grunt went unnoticed by the sanin, who motioned for a host to seat her somewhere quickly. The redhead following said nothing, her instincts telling her to scope the unfamiliar room for any strangers that seemed suspicious; old habits die hard.

Tsunade noticed the younger woman's caution. She could see the apprehension in every step she took and the way a stiffness settled in her shoulders; the Uzumaki had been through much in her life, it seemed. The blonde said nothing before sitting down at a table in the corner of the room. Karibi plopped herself down across from the woman, her attention immediately on the menu in front of her; she was suddenly starving.

"...Do you think following me around is going to get me to come back to the village with you?" Karibi glanced up from the different options of food for a brief second, though she didn't linger too long on her companion.

With a shrug, she answered, "No. But I also don't plan to run the risk of letting you runaway again." Tsunade blinked.

"Runaway?" That made Karibi scoff before she finally turned her full attention to the older kunoichi.

"Let me just make myself very clear. I'm not here because I think I'm an angel doing the right thing. I'm here because I need you...And I'm familiar with what this is. I am notorious for running away from my own problems and from people, and what you've been doing? That's called running away." Karibi's hard gaze flickered back down to the menu.

She paused.

"...No disrespect, Tsunade-sama." She wasn't sure how to respond. She was irritated, that much was certain. But there was a strange earnestness in the way that the younger ninja spoke; her words weren't meant to be poisonous or condescending.

"What could you possibly be running from?" Karibi's jaw clenched as she looked up at Tsunade, the blonde eyeing her warily.

"...Everything."

*Seven Hours Later*

It wasn't long before Shizune had finally joined the pair; she felt fully rested. By the time she had arrived, Tsunade had eaten a full meal but was well into her fourth bottle of sake. Karibi merely supervised the sanin, arms crossed over her chest before she finally took notice of the blonde's keeper.

Standing up, the redhead let out a relieved breath; it seemed her patience was wearing thin. "This is normal?" Shizune smiled sheepishly, her eyes drifting over to the blonde.

"Unfortunately, as of late..." Karibi scoffed before she shook her head.

"I need air." She paused after two steps, looking back at Shizune.

"If she tries to run, I'll find the both of you. I'm warning you—don't underestimate me." Her words paired with her sharp glare—that was enough for Shizune.

Watching the young woman walk out, Shizune let out an exhausted breath; her refreshed attitude was beginning to dwindle away. "...She's something." Looking back at her drunken master, Shizune raised a brow; she was caught off guard by the strange fondness that was in Tsunade's voice.

"She's exactly as I thought she'd be." That had raised curiosity in the younger woman.

"And how is that?" Tsunade scoffed before she raised her shot glass to her lips and rolled her eyes.

"Problematic."

§

"Damn it." Karibi ran a frustrated hand through her hair, untangling the knots that had formed throughout her day of chasing after the older woman. She muttered exasperatedly to herself, pacing back and forth in hopes to calm her twitching nerves.

She was close. Finally, Tsunade was there, yet her true goal was just out of reach. It was obvious that the blonde was going to be stubborn about returning to the village. And whatever had happened before Karibi had found her—she knew this was going to be trying. But she had no time to waste. There were people waiting for her—people that needed her help. And the longer they sat around drinking and letting the time pass, the harder it would be to save the ones she loved.

Still, she knew this was a delicate matter.

"Ribi-chan!" Blinking, said woman turned to look over her shoulder. Her eyes widened a fraction when she found a familiar blond stomping up towards her with a furious look upon his face. With an accusing finger aimed right at her face, Karibi nearly stumbled back while Naruto charged forward, glaring at her with resentment oozing out from his gleaming blue eyes. "You left me behind!"

"Na—Naruto?" Said blond continued glaring up at his guardian.

"You didn't even warn me!" Instantly, Karibi's sour mood lifted.

With a soft smile, the young woman placed her hands on his shoulders. She hesitated for only a brief second, though it was long enough for both Naruto and Jiraiya to notice; she was still walking on eggshells. The anger in his body loosened, the kunoichi kneeling and facing Naruto eye-to-eye. "I'm sorry, Naruto." It was a loaded apology, and although Naruto wasn't able to catch all of the undertones to it, a strange fluttering in his gut told him that her apology was a sincere and grand one.

"...Whatever. Just don't do that again," he snapped bitterly brushing Karibi's hands from his shoulders before crossing his arms at his chest; Jiraiya watched the pair quietly with a small smile.

Standing to her feet, Karibi looked at the sanin with firm eyes. The man raised a brow at the somber look upon the jonin's face before he followed the direction of her eyes.

There, inside of the pub, was the Slug Princess.

"You—"

"You should go talk to her now."

The genin raised a brow before peering into the window with furrowed brows. There were many customers inside of the pub, but there was a pair of women that had caught Naruto's attention in the corner of the bar.

And a tiny pig, as well.

"That's her?" Naruto was unimpressed.

"Don't let her drunken, sloppy state fool you," Jiraiya warned, his eyes remaining glued to his estranged friend. "She's a sanin just like me." That was hard for Naruto believe.

"She's gonna be able to help Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei?" Karibi's heart clenched at the mention of her friend.

"Of course, she will." There was no doubt in the redhead's voice; she was going to bring Tsunade back to the village one way or another.

With a deep breath, Jiraiya prepared himself for what was to come; with his former teammate, it was hard to predict. He turned his head to Karibi, watching as she tried to stand still; he could see how antsy she was. "Coming?" His question was answered with a shake of Karibi's head.

"I need to stand for a bit."

"But—" Naruto crestfallen expression nearly made Karibi fold.

"I'll be there in a few minutes," the kunoichi assured with a smile. "I think some fresh air is going to do me good. You make sure to order something somewhat healthy to eat." That made Naruto grumble under his breath before he begrudgingly trailed after Jiraiya.

Letting out a deep breath, Karibi let her thoughts run wild.

Watching Tsunade was hard for her. With a little less alcohol and a lot more aggression, Karibi saw much of herself and the way she used to be in Tsunade. It was obvious in Tsunade's eyes—what she was feeling. Though Karibi couldn't say for sure why it was the sanin felt the way she did, she assumed it was just the natural way of the nin world they lived in; people were bound to lose people. Although a part of her felt frustration and vexed at the stronger kunoichi's attitude, she felt a sense of familiarity and empathy for her; she couldn't completely say she blamed Tsunade for whatever apprehension she had for coming back to the village.

Still, everyone had their crosses to bear, and it was high-time Tsunade faced her demons.

§

"Being Hokage is nothing but a bother. No one but a fool would take it on."

The conversation had gone just as disastrously as Jiraiya had expected it to. Adding Naruto into the fold only seemed to make things more difficult. Still, keeping the genin at bay was easy enough. He understood where the genin's frustration was coming from—the way Tsunade spoke of Sandaime and Yondaime was hard even for Jiraiya to hear. However, the difference between Jiraiya and Naruto was—besides the years of life experience—Jiraiya knew where Tsunade's purposeful words were coming from; Naruto did not.

The blond was shaking with rage from the way Tsunade spoke, and even though the male sanin knew his former teammate was in no danger, he stopped the genin more for his own self and for Karibi's sake; if anything were to happen to the boy on his watch, he knew that Karibi would be the first person he would have to answer to.

Naruto was desperate to get his hands on Tsunade. He was baring his teeth and snarling like a rabid animal. Jiraiya also knew where this came from; having just learned the truth about his origins and his parents, any negative talk about Minato was going to be impossible for Naruto to listen to. But there was no going back, and Jiraiya didn't have much of a choice. Tsunade was the only one that could help the awaiting Leaf ninja, and she was the only one suited enough for the position of the fifth Hokage.

Neither Naruto nor Tsunade seemed to think so, though.

"Anyone who makes fun of the old man or the Fourth Hokage—it doesn't matter if you're a woman or not!" Naruto punched his open hand with a tight fist, glaring at Tsunade. "I'll clob—"

"Naruto!" Said blond stiffened for a brief second at the voice shouting his name. Jiraiya let out a relieved breath, releasing the genin and leaning back in his seat. Tsunade and Shizune merely watched quietly as Karibi returned to the table, her eyes tracking Naruto's every move. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" the young woman questioned sternly before she reached out and grabbed the boy to turn and face him in her direction.

"I know I've raised you better than this!" She may not have been perfect, but she knew she hadn't taught Naruto to act like an animal in public. "Get down from the table!" Naruto huffed, hopping down from the chair he had been standing on to face the redhead.

"You didn't hear her, Ribi-chan!" he argued, pointing an accusing finger towards Tsunade; the sanin merely watched curiously as the Uzumaki's continued exchanging words. "You didn't hear what she said about the old man and about—about..." Naruto's voice fell flat.

Karibi's jaw clenched; she had been hoping Jiraiya's arrival would make convincing Tsunade to come back to the village easier. She was easily disappointed though by Naruto's words. Still, she contained herself and refrained from initially reacting; whatever Tsunade had said about Sandaime and Yondaime must've been bad to draw out such a reaction from the boy.

"...I don't give a damn about what she said." Karibi narrowed her eyes down at Naruto. "A true ninja doesn't let the mindless words of another affect them." Tsunade was close to snapping, at that. "If you want to be Hokage so badly, that's something you're going to have to learn, do you understand?" Then, Tsunade's eyes widened.

"You want to be Hokage?" Naruto's attention was back on the female sanin in seconds, his vicious glare and cold aura hitting Tsunade in waves.

"Don't think I'm just gonna forget about what you said, old hag!" Tsunade felt her blood boil. "Anyone who disrespects the old man or the Fourth is gonna get it from me!" There was a conviction in Naruto's voice that made Tsunade almost believe him.

But she was not naive enough for that.

Smirking, the blond stood to her feet and leaned forward against the table. Shizune and Jiraiya exchanged silent and weary looks before looking back at the two blonds. "Why don't we finish this conversation outside—if you're so sure you can fight me." Karibi's jaw clenched.

This was going to end poorly.

Hello to whoever is reading!

I am back. I know it might be ridiculous to say, but I'm so proud of myself for uploading another chapter after such a loooong hiatus LOL You never know when writer's block or life will hit you, but I'm feeling good about things so far, so let's just hope that the roll continues :)

We are here! After such a long time coming, Karibi and Tsunade have finally met! I felt like there were certain things about the other person that they could both relate to even though their own past are different. Their dynamic will be interesting to watch unfold as time goes on, and I'm ready for it XD Not only that, but Karibi and company are now one step closer to also crossing paths with Orochimaru...which will chaos since it's Orochimaru so there is going to be a lot that comes in the next few chapters!

I do want to mention, I know it's been a while since we've had Kakashi in the mix. As the writer of this story, even I miss him LOL but once this arc passes, as you all are aware, things somewhat settle for Konoha so we'll get to see some fluff and some much needed peace for Karibi and everyone else! Just hang in there!

I want to thank whoever has been keeping up with this story for sticking around! I know it's been so long and this story has been going for awhile, but I appreciate the support and love this story has received :) I will continue to work hard to post more chapters! I have this story written out in my head through Shippuden, so we'll see what happens with Karibi!

Thanks again!

Reviews:

missfites: Thank you for reading! My updates were lagging A LOT previously, but I've been sticking with it now for a little so I'm hoping that it'll continue this way for a while! I appreciate you reading and taking the time to review :) Thank you so much!